In the Long Run

Securing lodging in Europe for our trip next month has become a lengthy, and somewhat tedious process. I have been trying to make reservations on my own, and am quite frazzled with all the details that are making the experience stressful rather that an exciting, anticipatory activity.

There are many websites offering bed and breakfast accommodations, and my Key Limey and I decided that staying in such places would increase our cultural awareness. The websites advertising the rooms require a deposit. They all have the assuring lock icon in my taskbar, but can I trust any of them? Can I believe the glowing descriptions of a "lovely decorated room with private bath, and secluded garden"?

I realized that the potential hosts were feeling the same trepidation about me. Our reservation in Paris required us to send a bank transfer of half the total room fee in advance, and to assume all the bank charges associated with it. When I balked and complained that the transfer fee was more than the money to be sent, I was told by the reservation agent that my host had agreed to allow me to pay the balance on arrival, and dispense with the bank transfer.

The agent went on to explain (her words): “However, the reason some owners ask for such a payment is that in the event a client cancels a booking at short notice the owner has some money for the reservation – so the owner wants me to say, please don’t cancel your booking! :)” I guess they are as suspicious of me as I am of them.

We obtained rooms in Paris and Rome with only a few glitches. But Munich has been a problem from the outset. First of all, I did not realize that the airport is about 40 miles away from the city center where we want to be, and our plane leaves at 6:30 AM. We had planned to take the train to the airport, but a potential host informed us, (his words) “Wow. But it should be feasible. The first subway departs 4:12 and will take 1:05 hour to the airport. It arrives there at 5:17. This should be sufficient for this early time.” That sounded a little sketchy so I began looking for a motel close to the airport.

I located several, and also found a private shuttle that was advertised for about 40 euros that could transport us to the airport for our early flight. But then I read the fine print. The advertised price “might vary, according to the date.” And according to the date I needed it, it was going to cost almost $200 to get to the airport! I think we would sleep in the terminal before paying for that pricey trip.

Although I am still worried about not having reservations in Munich, I was feeling good about our stay in Rome with Nelly, who has two little dogs, and has solicitously emailed us twice, asking about our arrival time and other arrangements. But now I’m starting to feel suspicious and untrusting again.

Maybe there really is no reassuringly polite Nona Nelly with two cute little dogs, a sweet grandmother who wants to share her rich and fascinating culture, and her meticulous dining room, with us. What if, like those credit card commercials, Nelly is really “Nero”, and wears wife beater tanks and spends his days playing Bocce and laughing with his pals about the latest American tourist (me) he’s ripped off in a bed and breakfast scam?!

And don’t even get me started on my worries about night train travel…

Posted by Cyppy at 9:55 PM